SUMMER BIRD LIFE OF THE LAKE DISTRICT 141 



XXIII. 



SUMMER BIRD LIFE 

 OF THE LAKE DISTRICT 



BY 



H. J MOON, MR.C.P. 



From north to south the Lake District measures approximately 30 miles, 

 while from east to west it measures about 25 miles. The area varies in altitude 

 from nearly sea- level to over 3,000 feet, and comprises vale, fell and mountain, 

 swamp, lake, forest and river, with very little arable land, but much rough 

 pasture. 



As each type of area presents its own bird population, the Lake District is 

 one of the richest parts of England as regards variety of bird life. For convenience 

 of description the area may be divided into dale, low fell, high fell and mountain 

 (Dale, 50 feet to 500 feet.) 



Most of the birds common to Northern England are represented, but there 

 are some notable exceptions, and some peculiarities in distribution. 



The green woodpecker (Picus viridis pluvius) is unknown, its place being 

 taken by the great spotted woodpecker (Dryobates major anglicus). 



The lesser whitethroat (Sylvia curruca curruca) is extremely rare : the 

 chiff-chaff (Phylloscopus collybita collybita), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla 

 atricapilla), tree sparrow (Passer montanus montanus), and stock-dove 

 (Columba oenas) are very local, and unknown to the greater part of the area. 

 The turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur turtur) does not occur. The house 

 sparrow (Passer domesticus domesticus) is also very local, being a rare bird 

 in some of the dales. The common linnet (Carduelis cannabina cannabina) 

 is very local, and only found where furze bushes are plentiful. 



Sand martins (Riparia riparia riparia) are also scarce, owing to the lack of 

 suitable nesting areas in a volcanic area overlaid by hard glacial drift. 



A special feature is the pied fly-catcher (Muscicapa hypoleuca hypoleuca), 

 which nests freely throughout the eastern portion of the district. The twite 

 (Carduelis flavirostris flavirostris) nests in most heathery localities, as does its 

 mortal enemy the merlin (Falco regulus regulus) in the face of merciless 

 persecution. 



The crossbill (Loxia curvirostra curvirostra) nests regularly in at least two 

 areas of the Lake District. The long-eared owl (Asio otus otus) is almost 

 unknown in the Lake District, and the little owl (Athene noctua noctua) has 

 not yet been reported. The tawny owl (Strix aluco aluco) is common every- 

 where. 



